http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1093341_nanoflowcell-powered-quant-e-limo-approved-for-german-road-trials#src=10065
[images and links in on-line article]
[Well, so much for my prejudice that flow batteries are best suited for
stationary applications. With a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 2.8
seconds, this electric limo isn't likely to be sitting still for long.]
So many companies claim to have developed the future of road car
propulsion that those making genuine strides run the risk of being
ignored. Luckily, German firm Quant is avoiding such a fate, as its
innovative 'flow-cell'-powered vehicle has just been approved for
real-world testing by the German TÜV safety body.
The Quant e-Sportlimousine was first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show
back in March, powered by what the company called 'nanoFLOWCELL'
technology. In essence, flow-cells combine characteristics of a
traditional battery, and fuel cells. Electrolyte fluid is circulated
around two cells mounted side-by-side. Between these cells is a membrane
that allows electrons to pass through. The electrical current generated
from this flow of electrons can be used to power a vehicle—and that's
exactly how the e-Sportlimousine works.
Quant says the car has a torque output of "four times" 2,900
newton-meters (2,138 lb-ft), and the car's acceleration figures
certainly suggest there's plenty of power. 62 mph is swept away in 2.8
seconds, and the car will press on to "over" 217 mph. The company claims
several advantages of its flow-cell technology, but among them is energy
density. A flow-cell of equivalent weight to a lithium-ion battery has
five times greater performance.
With a 120 kilowatt-hour flow-cell, Quant claims a range of 372 miles or
more. That seems par for the course when compared to the EPA-rated 265
miles of an 85 kWh Tesla Model S, but one assumes the e-Sportlimousine
is a great deal lighter thanks to those flow cells, which are presumably
smaller than the Tesla's batteries. Back in Geneva, the firm also
suggested that its flow cells contain no "harmful substances"—in other
words, the issue of the electric car battery's origins is also
side-stepped. Quant doesn't just want to transform road-going vehicles
though—it says the flow cell could have further application in domestic
energy supplies, maritime, rail and aviation technology too.
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